Entries categorized "So Cal Vintage Events"

January 05, 2012

These photos from the last Riverside Dickens Festival are long overdue. Especially since the next festival is this coming weekend. Actually this is what caused me to remember that I had never gotten around to posting my photos from the last event.

I'm gonna let the photos speak for themselves. If you are anywhere close to the Inland Empire be sure to swing by. This event has really grown over the years and it is a prime chance to get all gussied up to see and be seen.

Enjoy some tea, envy the ladies in the fashion show, shop for a top hat or just oogle all the vintage and antique jewelry. I know I will. I'm lucky to only live about a mile away from the Riverside Convention Center so I am planning to take a break from a busy Saturday to lose myself in another world. Even if it's just for an hour or so.

Festival attendees watching the fashion show.

Hats for sale

Ye Olde Book Shoppe

Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe.

Acutally it's really Old Glory General Store located on Market St. Click on the link for details on the events coinciding during the Dickens Fest.

Treasures waiting to be discovered via Old Glory.

Lovely participant in the fashion show demonstrating a Civil War era style of dress.

I hope to take more and better pictures of the fashion show this time around. Last year I wore a long lace duster that made it difficult to clambor about. I won't make the same mistake this time.

October 16, 2011

It has recently come to my attention that a major ball will be taking place in San Diego on Dec 10th. For anyone lucky enough to be able to attend, here is what you have to look forward to according to The H.M.S. Facebook Event Page:

Don your finest or most festive evening/masquerade attire (Victorian or Steampunk recommended) and join us on San Diego's largest and best dance floor! For this special alternative Victorian Ball, MC Walter Nelson will present L'Heure Verte, performing a stimulating range of authentic period music, and Steam Powered Giraffe, a one-of-a-kind ensemble featuring Col. Walter's marvelous musical robots, which must be seen as well as heard. Non-dancers are welcome and will have no difficulty participating in the Grand March! Light refreshments are included with entry.

September 30, 2011

Been away awhile, again. Life has been quite a bit more than a tad stressful lately but finally I can hear the call of my blog once again. I've lots to share but want to start off with a few events for those of you in the Southern California area.

Per the Facebook event page: "Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination! will explore the origins, influences and artistry of the steampunk aesthetic – a Neo-Victorian movement inspired by a fancifully re-imagined Age of Steam.

... The Exhibit: Visitors to Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination! will be introduced to an era in which science and industry combined in new and fascinating ways to launch mankind into the future – into a world where ordinary human beings could do the impossible. The exhibition explores the relationship between the fantastical worlds and concepts of Victorian ‘scientific romance’ and the wondrous realities created by the inventors and scientists of that time and ours.

Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination! highlights the relationship between science fact and science fiction in the Victorian era; exploring the work of pioneers such as Charles Babbage, Ada Lovelace and Nikola Tesla alongside the visionary fiction of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Visitors can explore a collection of replicas and artifacts, including original props and concept art, vintage books and comics, and a selection of art, sculpture, jewelry, fashion, photography and inventions. Interactive and informational displays will guide guests through various historical ‘what if” scenarios; learning while imagining “what might have been”had events and technology happened a little differently.

Preview week for this exhibit is October 15 through 21st. A public opening event will take place on October 23 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a ribbon cutting, Steampunk and Victorian characters, war game re-enactments, dance demonstrations, English tea and chocolate tastings, storytelling, crafts and more!

Admission to MUZEO is $13 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under, ages 3 and under is free. Group tour discounts (for groups of ten or more) and senior discounts are also available. Admission allows visitor access to both Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination located in The Carnegie Building, and The Queen’s Gallery, Victorian Art from the Private Collection of Dr. Howard & Linda Knohl; an exhibit exploring the history, masterpiece paintings, literature and 19th century lifestyle of the Victorian era, located in the Main Exhibition Building.

MUZEO is located in the heart of downtown Anaheim, at 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., just two miles from the Disneyland Resort. Validated parking is available in the parking structures on Center Street Promenade. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets online go to www.muzeo.org, or call 714-956-8936."

Been away awhile, again. Life has been quite a bit more than a tad stressful lately but I finally I can hear the call of my blog once again. I've lots to share but want to start off with a few events for those of you in the Southern California area.

2nd event, An event sponsored by the Riverside Dickens Festival. Celebrity Lecturer H.G. Wells (as portrayed by William Casey) shall be speaking at Back to The Grind in Riverside, Oct 6th. Time travelers and Steampunks welcome! Send me an email if you think you may be able to make this particular event and maybe we can meet and greet.

And HERE to learn more about Heritage Square Museum itself. There is plenty more taking place on these wonderful grounds, Mourning tour and the like, so be sure to explore their event page. If you have never been to this museum it is not just one beautiful old building that you are lucky to explore but MANY.

May 24, 2011

Well if Virginia City isn't one of the most inspired places in the United States for a Steampunk Ball I don't know what is. I started to type "most inspired places in the world" but then remembered the venue for a Steampunk ball that took place in Prague last year. HERE. Take a look for yourself.

Driving into the old mining town Virginia City is literally stepping back into time. What an incredible place to play, daydream and pretend for even just one night.

February 04, 2011

Here's a new video from Edward Gorey inspired Edwardian Ball that recently took place in San Francisco. It's a tad chopped off on the right side because of the way I have my columns set so you may want to click on through to view it directly via YouTube.

This event is so right up my alley. Such fun! As a curious child I found myself hopelessly intrigued by the illustrations and macabre rhymes of Gorey instead of spooked out. A life long love of history, the Victorian era and fairy tales always made me feel like a freak. Not anymore.

November 11, 2010

Some of the events that have taken place recently are wonderful ways to discover a new museum and what it has to offer. This event that took place last weekend at the Oceanside Museum of Art offered a steam inspired fashion show and the artwork of 12 artists from CA, plus admission to the other exhibits as well.

The artwork of artist Jeff Steorts literally stopped me dead in my tracks. I wish that I had been able to get a better shot of this piece. I couldn't drag my eyes away from it. Pay special attention to the hand posed gracefully at the top. It 's almost as if it is sticking out from another dimension. Another world. Reminiscent of that old Twilight Zone episode where the little girl accidently enters another dimension through her bedroom wall. One can't help but wonder what might be on the other side and what this other world might look like.

Models gathered after fashion show.

I think that this was the backside of one of the models

Model

Greg Brotherton is another artist that participated. I highly recommend that you pause and check out his work if you have the time. I was not fortunate enough to get a photograph of his work but it was absolutely mind blowing and detailed. His art nouveau inspired website alone is enough to make one visit. Imagine faniciful creatures. Ray gun anyone?

Event particpants

Film images projected outside and above everyone on a wall

Short fim clip created for the event

Above, is another work by the amazing artist Geoff Steorts. I can't stress how strongly his work spoke to me. Look closely to all the wonderful details on this cross. Sorry that I did not get a better pic. This was pure beauty in person. I will most definitely be following him closely in order for another chance to see his artwork up close and personal.

I hope that I have not mislabled anything. If you spot something incorrect, please let me know.

Loved the ensemble and this picture that my hubby took. I just wish that it had come out a bit more clear. It would be nice to be slim enough to strut about in something like this but alas, I am only strutting close to 47. Sure I've seen all the blah-blah-blah about embracing yourself after 40 and how one supposedly grows more comfortable in their skin but oh hell. I'm only human. I have my good days where I don't mind my photo being taken but mostly I shudder at the thought. It just seems that my age seems to be screaming more and more loudly from photos. I'm trying to age gracefully. Oh how I am trying!

But I digress.

Admiring jewelry by artist Evan Chambers

Having said all of that, here is a silouette of me coveting a collection of fanciful necklaces whilst trying not to poke out the eye of anyone near me with the parasol I made. The tag hanging from it Minnie Pearl style is actually a cute little advertisement for the upcoming Gaslight Gathering & Victoriana Convention to take place May 6-8, 2011 in San Diego.

Posing with one of the models

A happy event goer

Posing with one of the models

Playing in the museum

Mingling after the fashiow show

This event took place in Oceanside, CA. If you're closer to L.A. or somwhere in between like we are, you may want to join some of us who are gathering this Sunday. Click this earlier post for details.

November 03, 2010

Click on the link above to view the article and pictures that appeared in the Oct 30th L.A. Times, regarding Heritage Square Museum and the recent mourning tours that took place. I was not able to attend this year but hopefully will be able to next fall.

November 02, 2010

The 1st official meeting of the Los Angeles group The Manticore Society will meet on Sunday, November 14, 2010. Special thanks to Heritage Square Museum for allowing us the use of their facilities for this upcoming meet and greet.

I'm excited! First of all because it will finally be a chance for us to meet in person. I know that I am not the only one who is starting to recognize plenty of the same faces from online sites such as Steampunk Empire http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/ I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and learning about what it is they love about the movement.

Second. I'm jazzed (do people still say jazzed?) to finally get a chance to check out Heritage Square. I've been passing this place for years, usually on the way to The Rosebowl. Each time vowing to come back later to explore the museum when we are not planning to spend the day treasure hunting. Time permitting, I think that some us hope to pose for a few pictures using the beautiful historical buildings as backdrops.

3rd. I can't wait for another excuse to get all gussied up in a long skirt and a make believe ensemble!

If you find yourself free, please stop on by. The planned gathering is by no means limited to members. Dress up. Or not. Speaking of members, one of our esteemed members is also a volunteer and plans to give us the grand tour. Let's share a few munchies.

If you are looking for other like minded souls or just curious and filled to overflowing with questions, we'd love for you to join us. Oops! I almost forgot to mention that there is a $10 admission fee to all that the museum square has to offer.

September 01, 2010

As I sat muching on my Subway breakfast sandwich Sunday morn I glimpsed at the newspaper my husband was readng and stopped dead in my tracks. "Hey. Wait a minute! What's that?" I held my breath. I was afraid that it would turn out to be an article about an exhibition clear across the country or worse, overseas. But nay. Fashioning Fashion' opens Oct 2, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Wilshire.

Detail of silk and satin English dress circa 1885 in still brilliant shade of blue

Apparently day one of this exhibit will coincide with the official opening of a brand new multi-million 'pavilion'. Luckily my husband will be on vacation this week and this event is at the top of our list.

1780's vest embroidered with two political slogans: "Shame upon who thinks evil of it" & "The habit does not make the monk."

Being a major political junky myself, the vest above really caught my attention. Oh so many years ago someone was fired up and chose to express himself to the world. Funny how some things never change.

According to the article that appeared in the L.A. times last Sunday, these wonderful textiles represent "just a fraction of a major acquistion spearheaded in 2007." A collection that took over 50 years to amass by two European collectors.

Turn of the century black leather corset, English

Of course this jaw dropping black leather corset also caught my attention. I dare say, I don't think my waist was ever this tiny. At 46 and going strong, it certainly never will be. I'm also really impressed by the wonderful condition that it's in. I guess I shouldn't be so amazed. Leather, if cared for properly will remain in it's lovely state for quite a long time. Once you start to see that dry, rust colored powder start to set it, your leather has started to dry out and you're in trouble.

The boots are certinly intriguing due to the fact that they do not have a side zipper like similar modern day footwear. I'm thinking that the woman wearing them must have had to be assisted in putting them on properly. Once she did have them them on, how could she bend far enough to lace them up? My left eyebrow is raised...

Paul Poiret created this hat for his wife to wear to an Arabian themed party circa 1911

F.Y.I.***I like to share info on any and all vintage, Steampunk, balls, teas, historical etc related events, in and around Southern Cali, that I come across on this Facebook page HERE.

All photos are from Los Angles Times article that appeared on Sunday, August 29, 2010.

August 25, 2010

Last Saturday we attended the Muse til Midnight event at LACMA. I was worked up for days beforehand. I made my poor husband sit through numerous wardrobe changes and even sent him photos at work to critique. Wound up wearing a Goodwill skirt that I hand dyed brown and a Todd Wyeth top that I was only too excited to wear. Mostly because when I purchased it almost two years ago for a mere pittance, I had put on so much weight that I could barely get it to clasp shut. Whew. For awhile there I thought I was never going to be to wear it.

I didn't know what to expect. I hadn't been out for eons and had been dreaming from afar to be amongst like minded souls. Can't seem to find any out here in Riverside, CA. For some fool reason I worried that people might be reluctant to pose for pictures. Boy was I wrong.

Everyone takes such pains in creating their outfits that think that they are quite proud to be asked to pose. I know I was. Trust me, some of the outfits were amazingly creative.

We were having such a grand time mingling, people watching and posing for photos in one of those photo booth thingies, that the Thomas Eakins exhibit had closed when we finally decided to check it out. No matter. We then moved another part of the museum to hear live music and shake a leg.